Transmitting device for telegraph operators.



W. G. AGHGILL. TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR TELEGRAPH OPERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.30.190B.

Patented June 29, 1909,

vwenfoz 2 95 tn asses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. ACHGILL, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA, ASSlGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWARD O. FRITZ, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA.

TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR TELEGRAPH OPERATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Application filed November 30, 1908. Serial No. 465,101.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM O. AerreILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oklahoma city, in the county of Oklahoma and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transmitting Devices for Telegraph Operators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to transmitting devices for telegraph operators, in which the body portion of a small cabinet has its lower rear edge hinged to a rectangular base having a pair of binding-posts resting on metal lic plates and secured to said base for connecting way-cords thereto, one of said plates having connected therewith one end of a coil sprin having its opposite end secured to the end of a vibrating shaft having its opposite end supported by a flat spring to produce horizontal vibrations, said bar having adjustably secured thereon, a weight to regulate the length and rapidity of the vibrations; each vibration in one direction making an electrical connection with a pin which represents a dot, a first-finger key starts the vibration and regulates the number of the dots, said key being hinged to the base, a second-finger key being secured to the said base, near the first regulates the number and length of the dashes, all of which will hereinafter be fully explained in the specification.

The objects of my invention are; first, to obviate the necessity of using the arm and wrist of the operator in sending telegraphic messages; second, to provide a device by which the operator may rest his arm on the table or desk and transmit messages by using his first and second fingers; third, to provide a device by which messages may be transmitted with greater ease, accuracy and rapidity; fourth, to provide a device by which an operator afflicted with, so-called telegraphers paralysis may transmit messages with greater 'ase and accuracy. I accomplish these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the complete device; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device with the cabinet cover turned back as in active service; Fig. 3 is a cross section on line as Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line m Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line m Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 50 Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a cross section on line 00 Fig. 2.

Similar characters indicate similar parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the cover and 15 the base of the device; 1 and 2 are the strands of the two-way cord 3 having its single end terminating in a, preferably, flat plug 4 which is in any convenient temporary manner connected to any ordinary operators telegraph key and having the said two strands terminate in the two plugs 5 and 6, which during active service are secured in the binding posts 7 and 8. See Figs. 1 and 2. To the said binding post 7 a metallic switch and spring securing plate a is secured which is firmly secured to the base by the screw a which clamps one end of the coil spring Z), which serves as a vibrating spring by having its other end secured to the end of the vibrating bar 0 having secured to its opposite end the flat horizontal spring 0 having its edges vertical and having one end secured to an upright standard (l having a foot member (Z secured to the base B; to one side of the said standard is secured, Vertically, a fiat contact spring 6 by one of its ends, and being separated from said standard by in sulation e, the loose end of said spring having set therein a small platinum pin 7', projecting toward the vibrating bar 0 having a similar pin 0 set in position to contact with said pin f when the vibrating bar a is in action for the purpose of making dots in transmitting messages; the rapidity with which the dots are made being regulated by the regulating weight 0 secured in position on said vibrating bar by the thumb-screw 0; to govern the proximity of the contact pins 7 and 0, and to some extent govern the rapidity with which the dots are made, a regulating screw 9 is turned into and through the said standard (Z having a reinforcement block c and to prevent the displacement of said screw y it is provided with a am-nut g to insulate said screw 9 from the said contact spring 6 a small soft rubber pin it is set in the end of the said screw and projecting in line therewith contacts the said spring 6. See Figs. 2, 3 and l. To provide means for vibrating said bar 0 a standard 2' having a foot 2" is secured to the base B, rearward of said bar, and a regulating screw j is threaded thcrethrough, a jam-nut j securing it in place, the end of said screw abutting against a piece of insulation is set in said bar 0 to prevent electrical connection between the vibrating bar and the said screw; the opposite side of said bar contacting with a block of insulation 7e secured to the upper end of the upright member Z of the first finger or dotting key at which has its angle portion hinged to the plate on, secured to the base B, the said key m having its front end downwardly off-set and having secured thereon a finger block m, and to normally hold the insulation block /r in eugageinent'with the vibrating bar 0 a flat slightly curved spring a is secured to the base B under the stem portion of the key 772. See Figs. 2 and 5.

The letters of telegraphy consisting of dots and dashes, means for making the dashes consist of securing one end of a flat spring 0 to the base B, the said spring extending forward and curving slightly upward and having a key stem 0 riveted thereto the said key stem having a downward off-set and having secured thereon a finger block 0", a headed pin 79 being set in the base B under the said spring 0 or under the key stem 0 (the effect being the same) the electric wire 9 being secured to said pin and the wire 9 secured to the fixed end of the said spring 0 the current is diverted from the dot making mechanism when the space key 0 is pressed down sufficient to contact with said pin 29, the wire 1 being connected with the spring 6 and the pin 72, the wire 9" with the pin 7) and the binding post 8 and the wire 1 with the binding post7 and the fixed end of the said spring 0, thus making a space the length of which is determined by the operator. See Figs. a and 6. All wires may be laid on the top of the base B, but preferably, are set in the underside of the base.

To discontinue the active service of the device a switch 5 is pivoted at 8, its short arm extending forward and having a knob t secured thereon for operating the same and by changing the said switch as indicated by the dotted lines 6 the current is returned or the circuit closed by means of the witch bar 8 and the switch plate a. See Fig. 2.

In operation, the device is set upon a desk or a table and the switch as shown in Fig. 2 in which position the current passes from the binding post 7 through the plate a, the vibrating spring 6 into the vibrating rod 0 as often as the pin 0 contacts with the pin 7", the current following the spring 6, the wire g, to the pin 2) and the wire 9" to the binding post 8, thus completing the circuit; the two binding posts 7 and 8 being connected by the cord 3, in any convenient and effective manner, with an ordinary telegraph key each contact of the pins 0 and makes a dot. See Figs. 2 and 5. By pressing the first finger key m downward until it contacts with the base B the vibrating bar 0 is set in motion vibrating in a horizontal plane as indicated by the dotted lines on each side of the said bar and slightly diverging there from. See Fig. 2'. The rapidity with which the dots are nade is regulated by moving the weight 0 upon its bar 0, the closer the weight to the coil spring the slower the rate of vibration, and vice versa; the dashes are made by pressing the second finger key 0 downward until itcontacts with the pin 29, the length of the dash being determined by the length of time the said key is held down. See 2, 5 and (3. When operating the device the operator s arm snould rest upon the desk or table; and when the message is completed the switch 3 should be turned as indicated by the dotted lines If.

thus described my invention, what I claim as new and usefuland desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a transmitting device for telegraph operators; a housing consisting of a base having a cover hinged thereto the said base having secured thereto a pair of binding posts within the said housing, the said binding posts having a two-way cord connected therewith for connecting the said device with a telegraph key for sending messages; a coil vibrating spring secured to the said base; a metallic switch and spring securing plate connected with one of the said binding posts and to said base to communicate the electric current to the said coil spring; a vibrating bar having one of its ends secured to the said coil spring and having a spring support for its opposite end )ermitting said bar to vibrate in a horizontal plane the said bar having set in one of its sides a block of insulation, and in the opposite side a contact pin, the said bar being the principal ele ment for making dots and dashes; a sliding weight secured upon said vibrating bar by a thumb screw the said weight regulating the speed or rapidity with which the dots are made; a bi-spring standard having secured thereto the vibrating bar-supporting spring, the said standard having secured thereto a block of insulation; a contact spring having one end secured to said'insulation and having set in its free end a contact pin to contact with the said contact pin of the said vibrating bar; a regulating thumb-screw threaded into a standard and a longitudinal pin-seat in its point end, a soft rubber pin inserted in the point of a regulating thumb-screw being threaded through the said standard and having its soft rubber pin engage and control the said contact pin spring; a finger key hinged to said base and having an upright member having secured thereto a block of insulation to contact with the said vibrating bar the purpose of said key being to make dots; a second finger key secured to said base and having a spring body and a finger end stem with a finger. block secured thereon to divert the current from the said vibrating bar and to make dashes; a switch pivoted to said base and having its operating end without the housing and within reach of the third finger of the operator to close the circuit during disuse, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

2. In a transmitting device for telegraph operators; a housing having a base and a cover hinged thereto to protect the inclosed parts; a pair of binding posts secured to said base to connect the said device with a telegraph key; a vibrating dotmaking bar having a vibrating spring circuit connection with one of said binding posts to conduct the electric current from said binding post to said bar and to vibrate the same; a standard secured to said base and supporting by a spring the said vibrating bar, said standard having secured thereto a contact spring insulated therefrom to contact with said vibrating bar at each vibration to make a dot at each vibration; a finger key hingingly secured to said base to operate said vibrating bar; a second finger key secured to said base and having thereunder an electrically connected contact pin to deflect the current and make dashes; a switch bar pivoted to said base and having an operating knob secured upon one end for closing the circuit, all for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

L. G. ROBERTS, L. B. NICHOLS. 

